Ongoing issues: Garmin smartwatches are barely usable in some cases

Depending on the specific model, Garmin smartwatches can be used more or less independently of a smartphone. In most cases, though, they only become truly useful when paired with a smartphone app or Garmin Connect. The connection between iOS devices and Garmin watches has already had a troubled history. According to consistent user reports, there have been major sync issues in the past as well, especially after the update to iOS 26, and these affected various features. As always with reports like these, it remains unclear how many users are actually affected. However, this does not appear to be a matter of a few isolated cases.

Interestingly, some users say the problems have been ongoing for weeks, to the point where an iPhone can no longer connect to Garmin smartwatches at all. One Reddit user, for example, reported that since February they have been unable to establish a connection between a Garmin Forerunner 255 Music and an iPhone 16 running iOS 26.4. Another Reddit user confirmed the same issue. Re-pairing the devices and uninstalling Garmin apps apparently did not help. 

On Garmin’s forum, one user with a Garmin Fenix 8, an iPhone 15 Pro, and iOS 26.3 also reported that the connection was not working properly. Depending on the model and how it is used, that can make the smartwatch more or less completely useless. Even so, syncing with Garmin Connect is still possible over a wired connection if Wi-Fi is not used. That at least allows workout data to be synced. It is inconvenient, though, and notifications obviously do not work that way. It is unclear whether iOS 26.5 will improve the situation for all users, although there are additional options available for notifications on Garmin smartwatches.